A Sister's Power. Cydney Rax

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СКАЧАТЬ that all you did was kick it at his house. Sounds like you’ve been kissing it if you know what I mean.”

      “Lita, I have no intention of justifying my behavior to you.”

      “Don’t get defensive. I’m trying to look out for you. The streets aren’t kind. They’ll add extra info to the rumors to what might be the truth and damage your cred even more, you know what I mean?”

      Burgundy knew she couldn’t pull one over on Alita and pretend as if things were different than what they really were. “Okay, Lita, I’ll level with you. In the beginning, right after I lost Nate, my friend was very sympathetic.”

      “I’ll bet he was.”

      “Alita, seriously. When Nate died I was in shock. I felt paranoid and insecure. And I just wanted Edmund to be physically near me. His presence comforted me. He started out holding my hand which I did not mind. Then he would put his arms around me and that felt even better. Eventually, I could literally cry on his shoulder. I could tell him how I felt no matter how silly it sounded. He listened. I believe he cared. And after long, I started to ask Edmund if he wouldn’t mind holding me while I laid in bed. He didn’t mind.”

      “I’ll bet he didn’t.”

      “And slowly but surely, one thing lead to another. It just sort of happened. But it was all innocent.”

      “Innocent, my ass. But I get it. A pretty young woman like you has needs. But all this closeness and comfort that you’re enjoying with Edmund, don’t you think you’re being disrespectful to the memory of your dead husband, asshole that he was?”

      “In what way?”

      “You got yourself boo’d up pretty fast, B. And it’s not because I give a damn about Nate with his sex doll having ass, but I’m just saying.”

      “Trust me, Alita, I have grieved Nate in my own way. Grieving doesn’t always have to be done publicly to satisfy all those folks who pull out a rating card in order to judge how I’m grieving and whether or not I look remorseful enough about his death.” Burgundy felt with all the other things she had going on that stressed her out, people would be more kind and understanding and not give her the business over her newfound friendship with Edmund.

      “In my opinion, B, you ought to try having a couple of public meltdowns here and there. Act more sad and lost. I mean, shit, he just died, girl.”

      “I-I know that. You think I don’t know that?” Her voice quivered as she sought to adequately express her feelings. Burgundy was growing weary of the conversation and lack of understanding for her feelings. “Tell me. Am I supposed to sit around being lonely and bored out my mind with a coochie that’s drying out just because I’m scared of what other people think?”

      “Oooh, then you just admitted it. You two are fucking.”

      “No, we are not.”

      “Do you let him kiss you, B? Because that’s where it all starts. If he kisses you right, he can get it.”

      Alita stared at her sister for all the telltale clues that a woman is in a sexual relationship with a man. The woman seems happy for no apparent reason and there is a spirited strut in her walk.

      “Do me a favor. Stand up, B, and walk across the room. I’m asking for a friend.”

      “No, you are not, silly woman. You are being too damned nosy and reading too much into things,” Burgundy gently told her. “Forget about Edmund, Lita. This really isn’t about him. It’s about me trying to go on with my life. Because whether I grieve for two months, or two years, Nate is gone,” she said in a wistful tone. “I miss him for our girls’ sake. But I can’t stay hurt and miserable forever.”

      “Forever, B? Hell, it’s only been thirty seconds.”

      “No, it has not, Alita, now stop playing around. Because believe it or not, it’s hard to totally shake off the bad feelings. Yet I have a right to be happy, to grab myself a little happiness. And the people who look at me and twist their lips and who don’t like what I’m doing and think it’s a disgrace, unless they’re walking in my shoes, there’s no way that they, or even you, can understand how I feel. I don’t have to defend myself to you, or Judge Judy, or my entire church.”

      “Ok, B. I was just—”

      “You were just giving me your unwanted opinion that rarely ever helps me.”

      “Well, damn I was just—”

      “Think about this for a second. You finally moved on from Leonard and you’re living your life. Dru moved on as well. Even nutty ass Coco is trying to go on after all she’s been through. So don’t think for one second that Burgundy Reeves won’t be trying to get a fresh start in life either.”

      “Burgundy Taylor. Your name is Burgundy Taylor you little slut.”

      “Lita, you need to stay out of my bed. And maybe even out of my life. But I know at least one of the two will be impossible.”

      “You got that right. You need me. I need you. We’re stuck together like superglue. Tootle-loo.”

      And just like that, Alita waved her slender hand, took a last sip of her coffee, and decided to leave while the leaving was good. She could always tell when Burgundy had had enough.

      * * *

      When Burgundy was a little girl growing up in Houston, she was completely enchanted by women like Diana Ross. Even though she wasn’t born when Ms. Ross found success with the Supremes, Burgundy learned about Motown, Diana, and her hit songs because their mother, Greta Reeves, always played the most popular 60’s soul songs around their house. And early on, Burgundy would read books and magazine articles about how Miss Ross went from growing up in the Detroit Brewster projects to blazing the trail as an international superstar. Diana was a singer, an actress, and ultimately, a business woman. She’d have troubles and drama but seemed to always bounce back.

      And learning from her caused Burgundy to make a decision: she wanted to be a successful, powerful black woman who ran her own businesses. She wanted a husband, a family, to create generational wealth, and make good decisions and learn from the bad ones, just like Diana. And just like Ms. Ross, Burgundy’s responsibilities meant she had to get focused and be about her business.

      The very next morning, she woke up, got showered and dressed, and then greeted Liz who had just arrived at her house.

      The two women usually worked together to prepare the girls for school. Cooking breakfast, packing lunches, and organizing backpacks. Liz did most of the work, but Burgundy would also pitch in if time allowed.

      And on that particular Tuesday morning, she ran the girls’ bathwater while Liz got started scrambling eggs, slicing oranges, and getting the cereal bowls ready.

      When Burgundy got an unexpected call from one of her employees, everything changed. She let Liz take over from there.

      “Hi, Jordan. What’s up?” Jordan Andrews had been Nate’s right hand man. And these days he was practically running their Morning Glory restaurant.

      “Mrs. Taylor, I just wanted you to know there was a security incident at the midtown restaurant. I’m here right now. No one has been hurt. СКАЧАТЬ